As well as learning traditional design techniques, students in architecture courses learn how to use powerful workstations with CAD systems, color scanners and laser printers and software for the rendering, compositing and animating of their designs.

They learn to use raytracing and radiosity rendering systems to provide visual realism, alpha-channel compositing systems to put a client in the picture (literally) or the design in situ, and keyframe animation systems to allow realistic walkthroughs.

Student Presentations are now based on videos, photographic slides, slide shows or real time animation. Images (as data files) are imported into full color publishing systems for final year thesis presentation.

The architectural graphics environment at Curtin University facilitates the integration of slide and video examples of raytraced and chroma-keyed images with computer aided design techniques for architectural student presentations.